At what point would you ask for another upgrade?

[IMGONNABE40!]

We are traveling to PBH 7/18. With our Loews Plat, we have been upgraded from deluxe to Portofino Suite. My problem? I want it all! I like the idea of the suite upgrade, but would also like to have the deluxe due to the great tub. I guess I could downgrade to a deluxe to assure this, but would really like to get into a villa suite. It is a special trip for DH and I.

Should I call the hotel directly at this point to see if the upgrade is available? Should I wait and see when I arrive? What would you do?

Thanks!

 

[JessicaR]

I think I would call the Loews First members # and feel them out. Ask what it would take to get a Villa Suite confirmed. Identify your status and just request it. Cant hurt.

 

[goofy!]

Here is what we did. After a call to Loews first, this is what we were instructed to do. Since we were staying 4+ nights, we booked a deluxe room using the Internet special (stay 4 nights, get 20% - $274). Make sure you use the Loewshotels.com website to book the special. I know that Universal and Loews use the same reservation system, but the Loews first lady was adament that you use the Loewshotels.com site, as this shows that it is a Loews rate and makes it eligible for the upgrade. (And I know this is true because I called BEASTAR this morning to add a day and they did ask me what website I used to book the rate and made sure it was noted on my reservation.)

Anyway, then you need to immediately call the front desk of the Portofino - again make sure you are talking to the Portofino and not Universal reservations, give them your confirmation number and have your Platinum upgrade added.

Now, ours was a bit different because we had two rooms (a gardenview and a deluxe), but they told us that they had to upgrade us (aw shucks) to the Villa Suite because that is what the Deluxe rooms are attached to. So I am assuming that one Deluxe will still get you the Villa upgrade. But I think the key was talking to the Portofino directly and not Universal Reservations. As the Loews First person told me, the Loews upgrade thing is Loews and not Universal, so it is better to talk to the front desk.

Hope this helps.

 

[lrauers]

Can you clarify this for me? Altough I'm a Loews First member, I made our upcoming PBH reservation through AAA. Am I still entitled to an upgrade?

 

[goofy!]

Yes, and somebody correct me if I am wrong, AAA rates are always Loews First eligible rates. However, some rates can be confusing, such as the internet special that I booked. For instance, 1-800-BEASTAR told me it was not an eligible rate. Loews First told me it was and that is why they recommended calling the hotel directly to add my guaranteed upgrade. So, LoewsFirst told me that for adding or changing things like the guaranteed upgrade to a suite for Platinum members to existing reservations, it is always better to talk to the hotel itself rather than somebody else.

Hope this makes some kind of sense,

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Thanks for the advice Goofy!

I just spoke with Sophia at the front desk at PBH. She has upgraded us to a Villa Suite for our visit! I am very excited! DH will be very surprised.

 

[goofy!]

Woohoo!! Congrats!

I see you are coming in on the 18th. We leave late on the 19th. Maybe we will be suite neighbors for a day.

BTW - RyGuy recommended requesting one of the two Villa Suites in the West Wing as these two have great balconies. The other 4 don't have balconies at all. So, we can take one and you can have the other

Congrats again! Have a great special trip!

:thewave: :thewave: :thewave:

 

[Mary Diehl]

We booked the Portifino Bay Hotel, for June, using the Loews phone#-not Portifino directly. We used our Loews Platinum card to get an upgrade to the Portifino suite. I just called to see if we could get upgraded to the villa suite. The guy told me that I was already booked with an upgrade using my Platinum card and if I wanted the villa I'd have to pay a different rate. He also told me that the villa was totally sold out for my dates-bummer. Should I keep trying or what else can I do to get a better chance of getting the villa. Do you really think they're totally sold out?? Should I e-mail them requesting the villa a week before our arrival? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[goofy!]

Mary,

What type of room did you book originally? Are you being upgraded to the Portofino suite from a deluxe room? We booked a deluxe room and was upgraded to the Villa because the Villa Suite Parlors are the ones that are connected to the deluxe rooms. I'm certainly no expert on this, but the way the Loews First people explained the upgrade process to me is this. You actually book and pay for your room and then they throw the parlor in at n/c as your upgrade. I actually have 2 reservation numbers, one for my deluxe room and one for the parlor at n/c. The lady at Loews First told me that the Portofino Suite Parlor is connected to the garden views and the Villa Suite Parlor is connected to the deluxe rooms. (Have no idea what is connected to Bay View rooms) So, if you book a garden view, the freebie parlor is the Portofino parlor. If you book a deluxe, the freebie Parlor is the Villa Parlor.

I would love to know if this sounds correct to the experts on this board, as we plan to go again in December, and I would love to get a suite again

 

[RyGuy]

goofy!,

I have stayed in many suites at PBH but I did not know that they would upgrade to a villa simply by calling. I usually take the Portofino parlor and then upgrade at check-in to a villa or hospitality parlor. I have even been upgraded to suites at check-in using an APH or FLO rate. I will have to keep this in mind for future visits. Portofino parlors connect to bay view rooms or garden view rooms with views of the beach pool. Villa, Gov., and Pres. parlors connect to deluxe rooms all with bay views and hospitality parlors connect to garden view rooms with views of a courtyard and the villa pool in the background. Congrats on your upgrade. You will love the villa suites especially if you get one of the ones I mentioned in the west wing.

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Do not be upset with "only" a Portofino Suite. They are awesome rooms. Some are very close to the boat dock. We love that quick trip to the boat. (But those hospitality suites are huge!)

 

[Mary Diehl]

Yes, Goofy, I believe we did book a standard room which they automatically upgraded to a Portifino Suite. When I called to make the reservation, I let them know we were Loews Platinum card holders and then preceeded to tell us that yes we were eligible for the free upgrade and that the Portifino suite is what we were entitled to. As far as I know, we paid rack rate of $284-is that the right quote for a standard? How much would a deluxe be? Sure wish I could get that villa suite. Thanks for you help!